Prices of several essential commodities in Kenya increased in the period between March and April 2026, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) report released on April 30.
Prices of Irish potatoes and salad cooking oil increased by 2.8 percent and 2.7 percent, while tomatoes posted a sharp 9.0 percent rise.
“In contrast, prices for Irish potatoes and salad cooking oil increased by 2.8 percent and 2.7 percent, respectively. Tomatoes experienced a significant price surge of 9.0 percent,” read part of the statement.
According to KNBS, Tomato prices rose to KSh108.60 per kilogram in April 2026 from KSh99.60 in March.
While cooking oil also went up to KSh353.77 per liter from KSh344.
KNBS Lists Commodities with Price Increases
Fuel and transport costs recorded some of the steepest increases. Petrol rose 10.8 percent to KSh 198.67 per liter, while diesel surged 17.9 percent to KSh 197.81 per liter. Gas/LPG (13 kg) increased 7.3 percent to KSh 3,361.56.
As a result, transport fares rose significantly, with boda boda and city matatu fares increasing 20 percent to KSh 120, while country bus fares from Kisumu to Nairobi rose 8.6 percent to KSh 1,900.
Cement prices also edged up by 0.8 percent, while gas/LPG recorded a notable increase of 7.3 percent.
Clothing items also registered slight increases, with boys’ leather shoes rising by 0.5 percent, men’s leather shoes by 0.2 percent, and men’s trousers by 0.1 percent.
Laundry and household essentials saw prices for laundry/bar soap increase by 0.7 percent.
In the health sector, general practitioner services posted a marginal 0.1 percent rise. TV subscription fees also increased by 0.3 percent.
Also Read: KNBS Reports Growth Across All Kenyan Economic Sectors
Commodities That Recorded Price Declines
In contrast, electricity costs eased slightly, with 50 kWh dropping to KSh 1,288.99 and 200 kWh to KSh 5,656.88, both reflecting a 0.6 percent decline.
Kerosene prices remained unchanged at KSh 153.96 per liter, while house rent for a single room eased 0.2 percent to KSh 4,201.41
Food items such as cabbage and oranges dropped by 3.3 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively. In the health sector, cancer medicines recorded a 0.3 percent decline.
Household products also eased slightly, with detergents falling by 0.2 percent. Prices of televisions and laptop computers decreased by 0.7 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively.
Also Read: Top Private and Public Sector Industries Employing Kenyans
Kenya’s Inflation Rate
Kenya’s annual consumer price inflation stood at 5.6 percent in April 2026, indicating that the general price level was higher than in April 2025, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
“Annual consumer price inflation was 5.6 percent in April 2026. This implies that the general price level, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 5.6 percent higher in April 2026 than it was in April 2025,” read part of the story.
The increase was largely driven by higher prices in key expenditure categories, with Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages rising by 8.8 percent, Transport by 10.0 percent, and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels by 2.4 percent over the one-year period.
